Between having to take care of Billy's resurging erections, and doing the basic chores, Ella still found time to write the article about the company's CFO. She described the trials in his life, his passion for his job, and his family. She painted a picture of a man who was dedicated to making those around him better, wanting to be a person to be relied upon. When it was done, she felt like she was able to capture the person outside of work rather than his capabilities on the job.
Ella pressed send and sat back. She felt it was a good story, telling of a man who had lived a rich and varied life. She focused on the experiences he and his late wife shared, on the gap created when she passed away from cancer. It was his work, and the company that saved him and she made a point not to be too overt about that but let the reader figure it out for himself or herself.
Later that day, she was called into Bruce's office. She was worried that he would tear her article apart but he was all smiles.
"This," he patted the printouts in front of him, "is exactly what we needed. I made a few minor corrections but 99% of what you wrote is spot on," he said. "Gerald wants similar stories on all the board members. Alan is expecting you this Friday at 8 PM. He's closer to your apartment so you won't need the motel room. Whatever you did to get Marvin to open up I want you to do again. I feel like I know the man a lot more than I did before, and I've worked with him for years."
* * *
Ella rang the doorbell at 8 sharp. She had done her research on Alan Wagner before coming. 6' 2", 45 years old. Graduate of Harvard Business School. Divorced...his third. Two kids living with his first wife. Avid golfer and fisherman. Spends much of his time supporting and volunteering at Austin Paws & Claws, a local humane society.
Alan opened the door with a smile and stepped back, "Impressive. Right on time. Ella Irish. Damn! I wondered if you were of Irish heritage and now it's confirmed. Come in, I was having a scotch. Would you like anything?"
Ella looked around before nodding, "Sure, single malt?" she asked. She nodded when Alan said it was, "Neat, please."
They sat on opposite seats in the large living room. Ella, on the large leather couch, pulled her dress down modestly as she sat. She thought about wearing nice slacks and a blouse but wanted to look as professional as possible though she had other thoughts. She remembered Marvin constantly checking out her legs early in the interview.
After a few preliminary questions about his responsibilities as COO, she asked about the animal shelter. She was impressed with how the man's face lit up as he outlined the improvements they made and their successes. He jumped up, grabbed an album off the bookshelf, and came to sit next to her.
Ella could feel the man's passion for the animals, and she found he was neither a cat person nor a dog person. There were pictures of both, and they were so wrapped up in the stories behind the photos that she was unaware they were nestled hip to hip.
When they got to the back page, Alan closed the book and realized how close together they were. "Sorry, I lose myself talking about these guys," he said.
Ella looked around, "I'm surprised you don't have a dog or a cat."
Alan looked suddenly sad, "I had a dog. A rescue...I lost him two weeks ago, cancer. He was not even 6," he said quietly.
Ella hugged the man and stroked his back, "I'm so sorry. So damn young," she said softly. They held each other for a minute or more before realizing this was not appropriate.
Alan blushed as he noticed how close they were and slid over to the far side of the couch, "Personal space," he explained. He draped an arm across his lap to hide his reaction to the feel of her warm body against his.
Ella smiled as she recalled how many times Marvin had invaded her personal space... spaces, and how many times they both came. "Don't worry about it. I'm told I'm supposed to find your passions, what inspires you," she patted the spot next to her, "I liked hearing about and feeling your passion. Does that make sense?" she asked. She picked up her glass and took the last sip of scotch.
Alan got up and took her glass. He came back to the couch with both refilled. He handed hers to her and sat next to her, "OK, I get it. Along those lines, I want to thank you for what you did for Marvin. He's a changed man. He is smiling more, and for the first time since he lost Elizabeth, he joined us for drinks after work."
Ella didn't know what to say, "What? What did I do?" she asked nervously. "Did he tell you...?" She noticed Alan's bulge for the first time. Was he packing earlier, and she missed it? Then her nipples hardened as she considered that she was alone with this great-looking man.
Alan smiled, "He didn't say a word. But thanks for confirming it. Someone needed to get him laid. Or was it just a blowjob? I know you took care of him somehow," he smiled. "Relax, I'm not going to tell a soul, I'm just curious, you know how it is. Marvin had been alone in that huge house of his for over 2 years. And this past week, once he joined us for dinner, and another for drinks. We couldn't get him up on the stage for Karaoke, but he laughed and joked." He stroked her bare thigh as he appraised the girl, "Damn! You are incredibly beautiful, and you had to have been the best thing that happened to him in years, maybe decades."
Ella blushed as she recalled how Marvin told her much the same thing after their 5th session. Her nipples throbbed, and she tried to get the interview back on track. "I'm glad Marvin was pleased with the interview, but I still have a lot to go over with you," she said. "Travel? Where are your favorite spots?" she asked. He had been stroking her leg and his hand was sliding under the hem of her dress and she did nothing to stop him.
Alan smiled, "I get it, and I'll answer every one honestly. I have just one stipulation," he smiled. His hand was still stroking her thigh, with his fingers softly exploring the soft skin of her inner thighs.
Ella sighed, "What? I'm worried about what the stipulation is, but I need to get through these."
Alan smiled, "How many more questions do you have?" he asked.
Ella looked at her tablet, "12 or so," she sighed, "What?" She looked at the man's evil grin.
"OK. I'll answer all 12, and after the first two, you kick off your left shoe." He nudged her foot with his right shoe. "Then, after questions 3 and 4, you kick off the right shoe. I think you can figure out the pattern here," he smiled.
Ella shook her head, "No...no way. I am not going to take my clothes off for you, I'm married," she protested.
